Manuscript, Machzor for the Four Parashiot, Purim and the Three Festivals. [Algiers, ca. 17th/18th century].
Western cursive script, with initial words and titles in florid calligraphic script. Contains hundreds of piyyutim recited by Algerian Jewry, many of them listed in Davidson's Thesaurus of Mediaeval Hebrew Poetry, based on Algerian-rite Machzorim. Some of the piyyutim appearing in this Machzor are not listed there.
Includes Kerovot (series of piyyutim) for the Four Parashiot: Shekalim, Zachor, Para and HaChodesh (includes amongst others the Kerova for Shabbat Shekalim by R. Yitzchak HaLevi ben Zerachia Gerondi, Azharot for Shabbat HaGadol by Rabbeinu Kalonymus HaNasi and others); order of piyyutim for Purim (Tikun Yom Purim); Kerovot and piyyutim for Passover (for the first and second day of Passover, for dew, Reshut for Shabbat and Chol HaMoed of Passover, for Yom HaShira [seventh day of Passover], Haftarot for Yom HaShira and for the last day of Passover); Seder Chag HaShavuot (including Kerovot for Shavuot, piyyut for the Ten Commandments by R. Saadia Gaon, the Ten Commandments in Judeo-Arabic, Azharot by R. Shlomo ibn Gabirol); Kerovot and piyyutim for Sukkot and Selichot for Hoshaanot; piyyutim for Shemini Atzeret (Reshut LeYom Shemini Atzeret, Magen LeMussaf HaGeshem); piyyutim for Simchat Torah.
Most of the leaves contain neat scribal script, several leaves were written by different writers. An ownership inscription appears in the margin of p. [37b]: "Mine, the dear and honorable Yosef Alashkar".
[140] leaves. Leaves may be missing from the beginning. Several leaves of the Machzor are lacking. 21.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, dampstains. Tears and wear to several leaves. Worming, repaired in several places. Open tears affecting text to several leaves, mainly at the beginning and end of the Machzor, repaired. Restored binding, incorporating the original leather binding.